librarian
Well-known member
As usual, I am very naive. Only recently did I become aware of the degree to which heterozygous carriers of double muscling may exhibit the muscle patterns we all sort for by eye.
Trying to be open minded, I also believe every gain also has a cost and trait selection is a zero-sum game.
I can see how carcass yield would be improved by being heterozygous for a myostatin mutation.
I read that by avoiding selection for extreme types, fertility, calving ease, fat thickness and marbling will not ,necessarily, be compromised as muscle % increases.
I can also see how this trait would have advantages in the ring and many may chase the mutation knowingly or unknowingly.
My question is, in real experience, does fertility and calving ease decrease in heterozygous cows?
There are different versions of the mutation. How different are the effects?
Trying to be open minded, I also believe every gain also has a cost and trait selection is a zero-sum game.
I can see how carcass yield would be improved by being heterozygous for a myostatin mutation.
I read that by avoiding selection for extreme types, fertility, calving ease, fat thickness and marbling will not ,necessarily, be compromised as muscle % increases.
I can also see how this trait would have advantages in the ring and many may chase the mutation knowingly or unknowingly.
My question is, in real experience, does fertility and calving ease decrease in heterozygous cows?
There are different versions of the mutation. How different are the effects?
